STRAWBERRIES, SPIRITUALITY, AND THE GENTLE PACE

The slow allure of Maharashtra's twin hill stations, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, is being repackaged and served up by MTDC. Yet, their enduring appeal lies in its languid pace of life, its colonial, Parsi and spiritual heritage, and its strawberry farms.

- DEEPALI NANDWANI

How many hill stations in India still feel like hill stations-a concept introduced by the British, who sought refuge in these cooler climes during summer? Not many, I'd say. Overrun by tourists, many have lost their quaint colonial charm and laidback pace.

In the twin hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, however, the slow life and an oldworld character survive in patches. I visited these towns at the invitation of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to attend the Maha Paryatan Utsav 2025, for which a tent city had been set up between the two.

The Utsav drew crowds in search of adventure, scenic beauty, cultural experiences, and fun. For me, it was a chance to rediscover the hill stations of childhood memories and explore how MTDC is reintroducing them as destinations rich in history, culture, and cuisine.

Accessible by road from Pune and Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani lies in the forested Satara district, near the imposing Pratapgad Fort. Commissioned in the 17th century by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this historic hilltop fortress remains a favourite among serious trekkers. My aim, however, was not to go on an arduous climb to the fort, but to explore the charm and potential of the twin hill cities-and understand why MTDC sees them as premier tourism offerings.